Lowndes is among several counties across the state that has to redraw its district lines after the release of 2010 census figures.
And at Monday”s Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Leroy Brooks urged fellow board members to expedite the process, which could take months.
Lowndes County”s population dropped from about 61,586 in 2000 to 59,658 in 2009, down 1,928 people.
Mississippi”s census figures were released last month, and little has been done in Lowndes County to redraw district lines.
District 1 Supervisor and Board President Harry Sanders noted all districts are within state requirements aside from District 1 and District 5, which Brooks represents.
“Everybody”s district is within the guidelines except mine and yours,” Sanders said to Brooks.
Sanders suggested elections be held under the current district borders, and board members could focus on redistricting thereafter.
“This thing of running under the old lines is going to cause you some grief,” Brooks warned, concerned they may be forced to hold another election if they hold the initial election under the current districts.
“This is a very important thing,” he added of redistricting, noting Noxubee and other counties have already completed their plans and submitted them for U.S. Justice Department approval. The Justice Department reviews redistricting plans to ensure they are fair to minorities.
County Administrator Ralph Billingsley noted he has been in touch with Oxford-based Bridge and Watson Inc., which handled the last redistricting plan.
Supervisors plan to discuss redistricting again at their Monday meeting. The board meets at 9:30 a.m. in the supervisors” boardroom at the Lowndes County Courthouse.
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